Swansea V Sunderland at Liberty Stadium : Match Preview

31 August 2012 04:35

Viewed : 246

Ki impressed by Swansea's style
Ki Sung-yueng is looking forward to being part of Swansea's "lovely football" as he prepares for his Premier League debut against Sunderland.

The 23-year-old South Korea midfielder sealed his switch from Celtic last week, and made a solid debut in the midweek Capital One Cup success over Barnsley.
He is now set for a maiden appearance in the English top-flight against the Black Cats at the Liberty Stadium, as Swansea go in search of a third-consecutive league win after making an encouraging start to life under Michael Laudrup.

And Ki cannot wait to get involved, having been impressed by Swansea's passing style when Celtic faced the Welsh club in a friendly last summer.
He said: "I played against Swansea in a friendly last season and I was very impressed by the style of football they played and they did very well last season, so the main reason I came here is the lovely football they play.
"The way they keep the ball, it's the way I try to play football and that's the main reason I came.

"Michael was a big attraction for me, and it was always my target to play in the Premier League since I was young. Michael was one of the best players in the world so I want to learn a lot from him."
Ki may have to settle for a bench role on Saturday, with the triumvirate of Jonathan de Guzman, Leon Britton and Michu having impressed.
And the Olympic bronze medallist accepts that it will take him time to settle at his new club.

"I know I will need some time to adapt to my new team, they have done very well in the first two games and they are looking for another win this weekend," he said.
"I am not sure I will start, but it does not matter if I get a chance I have to make sure I am in the team as quickly as possible and I am confident I can fit into this team."
Sunderland opened the campaign with a creditable 0-0 draw at Arsenal, but saw last weekend's first home fixture against Reading washed out.

Swansea's league start, however, has been even more impressive, a 5-0 away win at QPR and a 3-0 home victory over West Ham building on last season's success despite Brendan Rodgers' departure and the subsequent arrival of Michael Laudrup in his place.
Boss Martin O'Neill said: "He was a fantastic footballer, one of the best and from all accounts, he is a highly intelligent man who will know that not making sweeping changes is the way to go, particularly if something has been working so well for the football club.
"The results seem to suggest that he knows what he's doing."
O'Neill has challenged new boys Adam Johnson and Steven Fletcher to reward his faith in them by bringing goals.

Black Cats owner Ellis Short spent in excess of #20million on the pair last Friday in an effort to significantly increase the club's firepower with England international Johnson recruited to provide the ammunition for Scot Fletcher and Stephane Sessegnon, who responded by signing a contract extension.
However, while O'Neill was thrilled to land both of his top summer targets within hours, he knows the investment will count for little if they do not produce the goods on the pitch.

He said: "At the moment, you would have to say it's still potential because we have still to go and prove that we are capable of scoring goals in the big league.
"I think we are. We have got some alternatives, we can attack from different areas of the field and that's all very, very encouraging.
"Of course, you need players to stay fit, but if they did do, I think we can cause problems."